School of Biosciences “Postdoc Academy” – upcoming events

The Post-doc Academy within the School of Biosciences has recently crystallised into a series of development seminars, meetings, and clinics. These are all aimed at providing the tools, skills, and knowledge that will aid all Research Staff Group members in scoping the opportunities and directions beyond the end of their current fixed term contract period.

As an initiative it is, happily, what we as a group make it and has been designed with input other School committees (co-ordinated principally by Daniela Riccardi). Indeed, if there is anything that you consider is missing from these sessions let the RSG committee know about it and we will see what we can do to oblige (simply email one of the co-chairs, or your division representative [see: news – meet the 2016 committee at large ] – or better still grab a quick chat with them when you see them).

The following are being delivered within the Bioconnect Seminar series

Wednesday 18/05/2016   “How to get published”

Sheba Aggarwal is a publisher at Elsevier. She will explain the do’s and don’ts of writing papers and submitting them for publication. There will be plenty of time for questions, and several journal editors will be on hand to give an editorial as well as publishers perspective.

Wednesday 25/05/2016   Career options: “mind the gap”

The session with specifically be focussing on the non-academic route (which also includes job searching and tailoring CV/applications). Led by Alex Houston, Career Adviser for the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences.

Wednesday 8/06/2016   “Interview technique”

A lecture followed by practice answering interview questions with each other and then receive feedback from Career Services. Individual mock interviews can subsequently arranged directly with Career Services via a booking system. Led by Alex Houston, Career Adviser for the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences.

Date: T.B.A. “How to give a TED talk”

Everyone loves TED talks and we thought hearing about the behind the scenes aspects would get people through the door.

The presenter Niall McCann, from the Organisms and Environments division, has spoken at TEDxCardiff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtggHQq8O5o. He did his PhD in within the School and is now an Honorary Fellow.  

Seed-corn grant funding opportunities

Seed-corn grants are available for up to six awards of £2,000 each. See 2nd annual post-doc seedcorn fund

The deadline is the 8th of June 2016. 

Regular ongoing events

CV clinic – First Monday of the month

Meet Matt Smalley in the Hadyn Ellis café bar for advise on how to polish your CV before you apply for a job in academia.

Grant writing workshops and pitch – One month before a BBSRC/MRC grant submission deadlines.

Sessions run by BBSRC panel members: Ros John and Helen White-Cooper.